NEW DELHI, Aug 5: The government today said it received 41 complaints of irregularities in the working of the midday meal scheme in the past three years while several samples collected failed to meet nutritional and caloric values.
The HRD Ministry also received 39 complaints of poor quality of food served.
Disclosing these in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for HRD Shashi Tharoor said out of the 41 complaints received, actions have been taken in 31 cases by the state governments.
While 11 complaints were received from Uttar Pradesh between 2010 and 2012, seven complaints were received from Bihar during 2011 and 2012.
“The test report by Sriram Institute for Industrial Research New Delhi also shows that many samples failed to meet nutritional and caloric value prescribed under the guidelines,” he said in a written reply.
To another question, HRD Minister M M Pallam Raju informed that the National Accreditation Board for Laboratories (NABL) has been asked to collect samples from the field for testing on parameters such as micro-biological presence or absence of e-coli, chemical parameters such as moisture content, fats, protein and caloric value of the meal.
“The state governments have also been requested to consider engaging Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, CSIR institute or NABL-recognised labs for carrying out sample checking of the food to ensure quality meal to students,” he said.
Twenty-three students had died in Bihar after consuming midday meal on July 16.
Raju said the forensic science laboratory department of the Bihar government indicated presence of organic phosphorous in the meal of the children.
Though the government ruled out appointment of permanent staff as cooks, Tharoor said the Tourism Ministry has agreed to provide training to selected cook-cum-helpers as master trainers through hotel management institutes and the food craft institute.
“The process of training has started and a group of 30 cooks will be given training in each institute. The states governments have been requested to nominate 30 cook-cum- helpers from their state for each institute,” he said.
During the 12th Plan, the midday meal programme is proposed to be revamped with its extension to unaided private schools in tribal, scheduled case and minority-dominated districts and covering the children studying in pre-primary classes located in premises of primary schools.
Tharoor said during the Plan Period, honorarium of cook-cum-helpers would be increased from Rs 1000 to Rs 1500 during 2013-14 to 2014-15 and Rs 2000 during 2015-16 and 2016-17.
While the state governments monitor the programme, the Centre also ensures independent monitoring through institutes like IIT Chennai, Viswa Bharati and XLRI.
The joint review mission which goes to the states periodically, has completed seven such visits in the current year even as 13 more are planned, the Parliament was informed. (PTI)
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